Display package and carrying case for a handheld device

ABSTRACT

A display package for a handheld device is described. One disclosed embodiment comprises a base packaging structure comprising a recess, and a substantially rigid device carrying case rotatably suspended within the recess such that the device carrying case is rotatable with respect to the base packaging structure. This may allow a prospective purchase to view features on different sides of the device without removing the display packaging from a display shelf, and also provides a downstream use for a portion of the display package.

BACKGROUND

Various electronic hand-held devices may have functional components located on multiple sides of the device. For example, a “presenter mouse” device may include presentation and multimedia controls built into the mouse device to allow a user to control the presentation of content to an audience, for example, via a slideshow or multimedia program. The mouse controls may be located on a top portion of the device (referring to the orientation of the device when used as a mouse), while the presentation and multimedia controls may be located on bottom and/or side portions of the device.

A consumer wishing to purchase such a device may be interested in seeing all of the device features before deciding whether to make the purchase. However, due to the locations of the different controls on different sides of the device, it may be difficult to package the device in an attractive and theft-deterrent manner such that all of the features of the device are visible to a purchaser. Furthermore, packaging for such devices is generally designed to be disposed of after use, thereby generating waste.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a display package for a handheld device that allows multiple sides of the device to be viewed by a prospective purchaser, and that incorporates packaging elements that are reusable as a device carrying case, is described below in the Detailed Description. One disclosed embodiment of a display package for a handheld device comprises a base packaging structure comprising a recess, and a substantially rigid device carrying case rotatably suspended within the recess. In this manner, the device carrying case is rotatable with respect to the base packaging structure. This may allow a prospective purchase to view features on different sides of the device without removing the display packaging from a display shelf, and also provides a downstream use for a portion of the packaging, thereby potentially reducing waste.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a display package for an electronic handheld device, with an embodiment of a device carrying case shown in a first position.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the device carrying case in a second position.

FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a top isometric view of the carrying case of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom isometric view of the carrying case of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a view of an interior of the carrying case of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a display package 10 for an electronic handheld device. Display package 10 comprises a base packaging structure 12 having a front face 14 with a recess 16 formed therein. Display package 10 further comprises a device carrying case 20 disposed within recess 16, and a handheld electronic device 22 disposed within device carrying case 20. Device carrying case 20 is rotatably suspended within recess 16 such that a prospective purchaser can fully rotate carrying case 20 within recess 16. This allows prospective purchasers to rotate carrying case 20 to view features on the bottom or sides of handheld electronic device, as illustrated in FIG. 2. While the carrying case of the depicted embodiment is depicted as being rotatable by 360 degrees within recess 16, it will be appreciated that display package 10 may be configured such that carrying case has any suitable range of motion. Furthermore, while electronic device 22 is depicted as a presenter mouse, it will be appreciated that display packaging 10 may be used with any suitable device or product.

Continuing with FIG. 1, base 12 may have any suitable structure. Suitable structure for base 12 may include, but are not limited to, structures of sufficient size to deter potential shoplifters, and/or to accommodate electronic device 22 within recess 16 in a desired orientation and/or position above a product display shelf. Furthermore, base 12 may be configured to include sufficient interior space to hold manuals, computer-readable storage media containing software for use with electronic device 22, cords, straps, and/or other accessories. Additionally, front face 14 of base 12 may include “blister” structures 24 configured to hold and display accessories for electronic device 22 to show a prospective purchaser the additional contents of the package. In the depicted embodiment, an antenna device 26 configured to allow electronic device 22 to communicate wirelessly with another computing device is shown positioned within blister structure 24. The display in blister structure 24 of an accessory important to the operation of electronic device 22 may be advantageous, as it may discourage would-be shoplifters from stealing electronic device 22 by tearing or carrying case 20 from base 12 on the basis that an important accessory would be left behind in the packaging.

FIG. 3 shows the construction of base 12 in more detail. Base 12 comprises a front piece 30, a back piece 32, and an intermediate piece 34. In the depicted embodiment, each of front piece 30, back piece 32, and intermediate piece 34 is formed from a relatively thin sheet of material that is molded, thermoformed, or otherwise shaped into the desired packaging shape.

Front piece 30 comprises an opening 36 through which carrying case is accessible when positioned within recess 16. Opening 36 may have any suitable configuration. For example, opening 16 may have a shape that is complementary to the shape of opening 36, thereby forming a frame which may depend upon the shape and appearance of carrying case 20 and/or electronic device 22.

Front piece 30 also may include one or more connecting structures 38 configured to accept the insertion of complementary connecting structures 40 on intermediate piece 34 to facilitate the secure connection of front piece 30 to intermediate piece 34. The depicted front piece 30 and intermediate piece 34 may be connected by inserting complementary connecting structures 40 into connecting structures 38. If a stronger connection is desired, a suitable adhesive may be used to secure complementary connecting structures 40 within connecting structures 38. The tightly bonded two-ply structure created by adhering complementary connecting structures within connecting structures 38 may help to stiffen and reinforce the areas where carrying case 20 connects to base 12, thereby helping to prevent removal of carrying case 20 from recess 16 and deterring theft. The depicted embodiment includes two connecting structures 38, 38 a and two complementary connecting structures 40, 40 a. However, it will be appreciated that any other suitable number and/or type of connecting mechanism may be used to join and reinforce front piece 30 and intermediate piece 34.

Continuing with FIG. 3, intermediate piece 34 comprises a portion that defines recess 16, and a bracing structure 42 that maintains intermediate piece 34 at a suitable spacing from back piece 32. The depicted bracing structure 42 is configured to be spaced above the bottom surfaces of front piece 30 and back piece 32. In this manner, a lower surface 44 of bracing structure 42, a bottom inner surface 46 of back piece 32, and back inner surface 48 of back piece 32 define a storage area in base 12 for holding manuals, batteries, carrying straps, and other such accessories within base 12. This storage area may be hidden by one or more printed inserts (not shown) disposed within base 12 that provide product information, bar codes, packaging graphics, etc.

Intermediate piece 34 also comprises openings at locations 50 and 52 configured to respectively accommodate spindles or protrusions 54 and 56 disposed on carrying case 20. In this manner, carrying case 20 may be suspended within recess 16 wholly by spindles 54 and 56, allowing carrying case 20 to be rotated about the axis defined by spindles 54 and 56. As depicted in FIG. 3, spindle 56 may be configured to be removable from carrying case 20. This feature is described in more detail below.

Continuing with FIG. 3, back piece 32 comprises a continuous back surface 60 having a profile shaped to provide an aesthetic appearance to base 12. Further, back piece 32 comprises an outer flange 62 configured to be sealed to a complimentary flange 64 on front piece 30. Back piece 32 may be sealed to front piece 30 in any suitable manner. Examples include, but are not limited to, thermal welding and/or melting, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and/or combinations thereof.

Front piece 30, back piece 32 and intermediate piece 34 may be formed from any suitable material or materials. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, polyethylene, etc. Likewise, these pieces may be formed in any suitable manner, including but not limited to various molding techniques such as thermoforming and injection molding. The thickness of the plastic from which these pieces are formed may vary depending upon various factors, such as desired rigidity, cost, weight, and other such properties. Furthermore, the materials from which these pieces may be formed may be clear, colored, shaded, or may have any other desired appearance. Forming these pieces from a clear may increase the utility of the pieces as recycled materials due to the lack of any pigments or dyes within the material, and also may offer good readability of printed inserts disposed within base 12. Either of front piece 30 and back piece 34 may include perforated lines or other features to facilitate the opening of base 12 to remove items packaged within the base structure.

It will be depicted that the configuration of the depicted base 12, including but not limited to the shape, size aspect ratios, etc. of base 12 are shown merely for the purpose of example and are not intended to be limiting in any sense, and that a base packaging structure may have any other suitable configuration for use in packaging any suitable product.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show carrying case 20 in more detail. Referring first to FIG. 4, carrying case 20 comprises a top piece 70 and a bottom piece 71 each shaped to conform to a shape of the device contained within the carrying case 20. Further, top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 may include surface and/or shape details that highlight functional and/or aesthetic features of the device packaged within. For example, in the depicted embodiment, top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 each conform generally to the shape of a presenter mouse contained within carrying case 20. Furthermore, top piece 70 comprises an oval-shaped depression 72 with a wheel-shaped protrusion extending therefrom to accommodate and draw attention to a scroll wheel on a mouse packaged within carrying case 20. Likewise, top piece 70 also comprises raised areas 74 on a side portion of top piece 70 to highlight a thumb control button on a presenter mouse packaged within.

Top piece 70 may further comprise a region 76 having a different surface texture than adjacent regions. Region 76 may be configured to correspond in shape to a decorative feature of a presenter mouse packaged there, for example, a surface panel section having a different color or shade of color as adjacent surface panels. Where carrying case 20 is formed from a substantially transparent material, the view of the decorative features of the presenter mouse through the region 76 and the adjacent regions may highlight the decorative feature on the mouse and give display package 10 a pleasing appearance. In this manner, a carrying case constructed in accordance with the present disclosure may be configured to highlight functional and/or decorative features of any desired device packaged within. It will be appreciated that the terms “top piece” and “bottom piece” as used herein are used in reference to the orientation of the top and bottom pieces of the carrying case relative to a presenter mouse packaged within carrying case 20. Further, it will be appreciated that the term “substantially transparent” as used herein indicates a material through which features of the packaged device may be seen, and may include materials with pigments, dyes, surface coatings and/or surface textures that do not substantially obscure a prospective purchaser's view of the packaged device.

Continuing with FIG. 4, top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 are connected by one or more hinges 78. Further, a tapered extension 80 may be provided adjacent to each hinge 78 to help prevent hinges 78 from hanging up when carrying case 20 is inserted into or removed from a pocket, briefcase, purse, etc. While the depicted top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 are connected by hinges, it will be appreciated that top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 may be connected in any suitable manner that allows case 20 to be opened for device insertion and removal, and closed for device storage.

FIG. 4 also illustrates top spindle 54 in more detail. As depicted, top spindle 54 comprises a first spindle portion 54 a integrated with and extending from top piece 70, and a second spindle portion 54 b integrated with and extending from bottom piece 71. A recess 82 is formed in second spindle portion 54 b to accept the attachment of a carrying strap or lanyard to carrying case 20 via recess 82 and a second hole disposed through top spindle 54 (shown in FIG. 6).

Continuing with FIGS. 4 and 5, bottom piece 71 may include a downwardly extending protrusion 84 configured to create a storage space to hold an accessory, such antenna device 26. In the depicted embodiment, protrusion 84 is molded into a centrally disposed portion of bottom piece 71, and includes a generally flat bottom surface corresponding to a shape of a wide face of antenna device 26. This allows antenna device 26 or any other desired accessory to be carried along with the presenter mouse in carrying case 20, thereby reducing the risk of loss of antenna device 26. The storage space created by protrusion 84 is described in more detail in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 also shows an embodiment of a latch structure that may be used to hold top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 in a closed configuration. The latch structure comprises an inner latch structure 90 disposed on bottom piece 71, and two outer latch structures 92 disposed on top piece 70. When in a closed configuration, inner latch structure 90 is disposed between outer latch structures 92. This allows carrying case 20 to be opened by moving pressing inner latch structure 90 and outer latch structure 92 in opposite direction via a pinching motion. In some embodiments, when in the closed position, inner latch structure 90 may extend far enough through outer latch structures 92 such that inner latch structure 90 is slightly raised relative to outer latch structures 92. This may help a user to determine by feel alone where to pinch the latch structures to open the case. It will be appreciated that the depicted latch structures are shown for purposes of example, and that any other suitable structure or structures, including but not limited to other latches, may be used to hold carrying case 20 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 6 shows carrying case 20 in an opened configuration, and illustrates various interior structures of carrying case 20. First, top piece 70 and bottom piece 71 each include inner surfaces 100, 101 contoured to closely match a surface contour of a presenter mouse contained within carrying case 20. This may provide a sufficiently snug fit for carrying case to provide a measure of protection for a presenter mouse contained within carrying case 20. For example, if the carrying case is dropped, a relatively close fit of carrying case 20 around the presenter mouse may help to distribute forces from the impact across a broader surface area of the presenter mouse than if the mouse were stored in a commonly used soft carrying case or were unprotected. This may help to protect the presenter mouse against damage from drops from three feet or higher onto a hard surface.

The selection of the material or materials from which carrying case 20 is made may further contribute to the protective properties of carrying case 20. For example, rigid materials may offer better protection against impacts than soft materials. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, injection molded PET and polycarbonates.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the interior portion of protrusion 84 is shown as storage space 104. As mentioned above, storage space 104 may be configured to have sufficient room to store various accessories, such as antenna device 26, used with presenter mouse. Also, the relatively wide, flat bottom profile of storage space 104 allows protrusion 84 to act as a stable base for resting carrying case on a surface such as a table or desk.

Further, features may be provided in storage space 104 for positioning and retaining an accessory within storage space 104. In the specific example of antenna structure 26, a first set of positioning features 106 may be provided for holding antenna structure 26 in position along a long dimension (“length”) of carrying case 20, while a second set 108 of positioning features may be provided for holding antenna structure 26 in a transverse direction. Further, either of positioning features 106 or 108 may be configured to accommodate antenna structure 26 only in specific orientations. For example, in the depicted embodiment, features 108 may be spaced such that a universal serial bus (USB) connector on antenna structure 26 fits between features 108, but a wider body portion of antenna structure 26 does not.

Continuing with FIG. 6, top pieced 70 and bottom piece 71 each includes a spindle opening, shown respectively at 109 a and 109 b, to accommodate bottom spindle 56 such that bottom spindle 56 is held within carrying case 20 when the case is closed, and is removable from carrying case 20 when the case is opened. This allows bottom spindle 56 to be securely held in carrying case 20 while used as a display package 10, and then removed by a purchaser after purchase to make carrying case 20 more attractive. Either or both of spindle openings 109 a and 109 b may include a tab 110 configured to extend through a complimentary slot 112 in bottom spindle 56 to hold bottom spindle 56 in a rotationally fixed position. Likewise, bottom spindle 56 may include flanges 114 and 116 having larger radii than spindle openings 109 a and 109 b to prevent bottom spindle from sliding out of carrying case 20 when carrying case 20 is closed.

While disclosed herein in the context of a presenter mouse, it will be appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may also be used with any other suitable handheld product, including but not limited to other presentation controllers and mouse/trackball computer input devices, other handheld electronic devices such as memory devices, cameras, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, portable media players, etc., as well as non-electronic items. Further, it will be appreciated that the configurations of display packaging for a handheld electronic device depicted and described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes, systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/or properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof. 

1. A display package for a handheld device, comprising: a base packaging structure comprising a recess; and a substantially rigid device carrying case rotatably suspended within the recess in the base packaging structure via at least one spindle such that the device carrying case is rotatable with respect to the base packaging structure.
 2. The display package of claim 1, wherein the device carrying case is rotatably suspended within the recess via a first spindle which is integrated into the carrying case and a second spindle which is removable from the carrying case.
 3. The display package of claim 2, wherein the second spindle comprises a carrying strap attachment structure.
 4. The display package of claim 1, wherein the device carrying case comprises a first piece and a second piece coupled together via a hinge, and wherein the first piece and the second piece each comprises an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface contour of the handheld device.
 5. The display package of claim 1, wherein the second piece comprises an interior storage area and features disposed in the storage area configured to accommodate an accessory to the handheld device.
 6. The display package of claim 1, wherein the device carrying case is substantially transparent.
 7. The display package of claim 6, wherein the carrying case comprises surface details that highlight functional and/or aesthetic features of the handheld device within the carrying case.
 8. A carrying case for a computer mouse, comprising: a substantially rigid first piece comprising an inner surface shaped to conform to a first outer portion of the mouse; a substantially rigid second piece comprising an inner surface shaped to conform to a shape of a second outer portion of the mouse; and a hinged connection connecting the first piece and the second piece.
 9. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein the first piece and second piece are substantially transparent.
 10. The carrying case of claim 9, wherein one or more of the first piece and second piece comprises surface details that correspond to functional and/or aesthetic features of the computer mouse within the carrying case.
 11. The carrying case of claim 8, further comprising a spindle structure extending from a portion of the carrying case.
 12. The carrying case of claim 8, further comprising an opening configured to accommodate and retain a spindle structure when the carrying case is closed.
 13. The carrying case of claim 8, further comprising an interior storage area and features disposed in the storage area configured to accommodate an accessory to the computer mouse.
 14. The carrying case of claim 13, wherein the accessory is an antenna attachable to a computer to enable wireless communication with the computer mouse.
 15. A display package for a computer mouse, comprising: a base packaging structure comprising a front face with a recess; a mouse carrying case disposed within the recess and rotatably coupled with the base packaging structure within the recess; a first spindle extending from the mouse carrying case and coupling the mouse carrying case to the base packaging structure; and a second spindle removably coupled to the mouse carrying case and coupling the mouse carrying case to the base packaging structure.
 16. The display package of claim 15, wherein the first spindle comprises a carrying strap attachment structure.
 17. The display package of claim 15, wherein the mouse carrying case comprises a first piece and a second piece coupled together via a hinge, and wherein the first piece and the second piece each comprises an inner surface shaped to conform to an outer surface contour of the computer mouse.
 18. The display package of claim 15, wherein the second piece comprises an interior storage area and features disposed in the storage area configured to accommodate an accessory to the computer mouse.
 19. The display package of claim 15, wherein the mouse carrying case is substantially transparent.
 20. The display package of claim 19, wherein the carrying case comprises a portion with a smooth surface divided from a portion with a textured surface along a border that traces a design feature of the computer mouse. 